Fan Restrained from Seeing Janet Jackson

Some relief for problem-plagued Janet Jackson: On Thursday in Santa Monica Superior Court she won a restraining order against a man she claims has been stalking her for nearly a decade and who turned up at her Saturday Night Live appearance last year with a knife and a box-cutter.

Robert Gardner, 46, of New York, has been ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Jackson, her family and associates for three years, says reports.

Jackson, 38, did not attend the hearing but said in her legal papers that Gardner had fabricated a "personal history" with her, and for nine years "has been following me, sending me faxes and letters and attempting to arrange in-person meetings."

She stated he was stopped by security at NBC's New York studios at the time she was rehearsing for her March 2004 SNL appearance, and that he was armed with a box-cutter, a large pair of scissors and a knife. (Her stint on the show was hot on the heels of her "wardrobe malfunction" Super Bowl controversy.)

"I'm not sure why she's saying this," Gardner, describing himself as a "fan," told the judge, the Associated Press reports. "We do have a little personal contact."

"She apparently does not want to have contact with you," the judge said.

Outside court, Gardner – who had represented himself on Thursday – said he plans to hire a lawyer to contest the ruling.